Drilling apparatus

ABSTRACT

.[.A carriage movable by a power unit along a track carrying a drive shaft connected sequentially to a plurality of drill rods. The drill rods are supplied by spaced apart transversely movable rack assemblies having upwardly opening spaced recesses therein. Transverse, spaced apart support arms are mounted for pivotal movement in vertical planes about a common axis selectively to an upper position in alignment with the drive shaft and to a lower position beneath the drill rods carried by the rack assembly. The rack assemblies are moved to position drill rods sequentially in alignment with the path of movement of the support arms..]. 
     .Iadd.A drilling apparatus and more particularly a drilling apparatus adapted for drilling holes into the side of a mass of earth and including thereon improved drill rod carrying and transfer means.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to drilling apparatus and more particularly toapparatus for drilling holes into the side of a mass of earth.

Heretofore in the art to which our invention relates, difficulties havebeen encountered in supplying drill rod sections to the drillingapparatus whereby the apparatus may operate in a substantiallycontinuous manner. That is, individual arms have been provided forsupplying single drill rod sections at a time whereby a second drill rodsection may be inserted into the apparatus after the first drill rodsection has moved into the mass of earth. In view of the size, weightand length of hollow drill rod sections, it is very difficult to supplya plurality of hollow drill rod sections. This is especially true whendrill rod sections are supplied after the drill is in operation.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with our present invention, we provide spaced apart rackassemblies having upwardly opening spaced apart recesses therein forsupporting a plurality of drill rod sections at an elevation below andin parallel relation to the drive shaft for the drilling apparatus. Therack assemblies are moved transversely of the frame concomitantly toposition drill rod sections sequentially in alignment with the path ofmovement of spaced apart support arms. The support arms extendtransversely of the drill rod sections carried by the rack assembliesand are adapted for pivotal movement whereby the drill rod sections aretransferred sequentially from the rack assembly to a position inalignment with the drill shaft for the drilling apparatus. Means isprovided for indicating relative positions of the support arms and therack assemblies whereby a drill rod section is in proper position to betransferred by the support arms each time the support arms are movedupwardly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Apparatus embodying features of our invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partly broken away;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, sectional view taken generally along the line2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmental view taken generally along the line3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmental view taken generally along the line4--4 of FIG. 1; and,

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmental view taken generally along the line5--5 of FIG. 1, partly broken away showing the means for moving the racktransversely of the apparatus and showing the opposite side of the rackassembly from that shown in FIG. 4.

Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of ourinvention, we show a mobile support unit 10 for supporting atranslatable frame 11 which extends in a generally horizontal plane, asshown in FIG. 1. Extending longitudinally of the frame 11 is anelongated trackway 12 for supporting a movable carriage 13 having upperflanged rollers 14 which ride along the upper surface of the trackway12. The carriage 13 also carries a lower flanged roller 16 which engagesthe under surface of a longitudinally extending rail to limit upwardmovement of the carriage as it moves longitudinally along the trackway12.

Mounted on the carriage 13 is an electric motor 17 which is operativelyconnected to a transmission 18 for rotating a hollow driving head orshaft 19. The motor 17, transmission 18 and drive shaft 19 are alladapted for longitudinally movement with the carriage along the trackway12. The movable carriage 13 is operatively connected to a sprocket andchain assembly indicated generally at 21 whereby upon movement of thesprocket and chain assembly in opposite directions, the carriage 13 ismoved in opposite directions along the guideway 12. The sprocket andchain assembly 21 may be of the type shown and described in the DavisRobbins U.S. Pat. No. 3,089,549 dated May 14, 1963 and entitled"Drilling Apparatus." Since the apparatus for moving carriage 13 alongthe trackway 12 is conventional type apparatus well knwon in the art towhich our invention relates, no further description thereof is deemednecessary.

The hollow drive shaft 19 is provided with a threaded male couplingwhich is adapted to engage the threaded female coupling of a hollowdrill rod section 22 for conveying air therethrough to clear the holebeing drilled of cuttings. A conventional type drill bit is carried bythe forward end of the first drill rod section 22 which is attached tothe hollow drive shaft 19 and air under pressure is supplied to thehollow drive shaft 19 from a suitable source of supply. The forward endof the frame 11 carries a downwardly opening discharge housing 23 whichis adapted to encase the drill rod section adjacent the side of a massof earth into which a hole is to be bored.

While we have shown in FIG. 4 only one elongated frame 11 carried by themobile unit 10, we preferably mount an elongated frame 11 at each sideof the mobile unit 10. Accordingly, movable carriages 13 would beadapted for movement along opposite sides of the mobile unit 10 with thecarriages moving generally parallel to each other whereby generallyparallel holes are drilled into the side of the earth being bored.

Mounted for rotation in suitable bearings 24 at one side of the frame 11is an elongated member 26 which extends substantially the entire lengthof the frame 11. Elongated tubular members 27 are secured to theelongated member 26, as shown in FIG. 1, to add strength thereto.Transversely extending support arms 28 are mounted on the elongatedtubular members 27 and rotate therewith whereby they are adapted forpivotal movement in generally vertical planes about a common axis. Anupwardly opening recess .Iadd.or drill steel support portion .Iaddend.29is provided in the inner surface of each support arm 28 for receiving adrill rod section 22, as shown in FIG. 2. One of the support arms 28 andan arm 28a, which is also secured to the tubular member 27, projectsupwardly above the connections to the elongated tubular member 27 andthe upper end of each is pivotally connected by a suitable pivot pin 31to a fluid pressure operated cylinder 32 whereby the support arms arerotated as rotary motion is imparted to the elongated tubular member 27.

As shown in FIG. 2, upward movement of the inner end of each support arm28 is limited by an adjustable stop member 33 carried by the support arm28 in position to engage a stationary part of the frame 11. Accordingly,upon movement of the inner end of each support arm 28 to its uppermostposition, the drill rod section 22 is moved to a position in alignmentwith the drive shaft 19 whereby it may be connected to the drive shaftin the usual manner. Accordingly, the upwardly opening recess 29 forreceiving the drill rod section 29 is movable selectively to a lowerposition at an elevation below a drill rod section to be transferred andto an upper position in alignment with the drive shaft 19.

The drill rod sections 22 to be transferred sequentially to a positionin alignment with the drive shaft 19 are supported by spaced apart rackassemblies 34. Each rack assembly 34 comprises an elongated movablemember 36 having upwardly opening recesses 37 therein for receiving thedrill rod sections 22. The upwardly opening recesses 37 are spaced fromeach other, as shown, to support the drill rod sections 22 in parallelrelation to each other. Laterally projecting guide members 38 arecarried by the lower portion of the movable member 36 in verticallyspaced relation to each other for slidably receiving horizontal guidemembers 39 carried by a stationary part of the frame 11, as shown inFIG. 3. Accordingly, the elongated movable member 36 carrying theupwardly opening recesses 37 is adapted for sliding movement along theinwardly projecting guide members 39 carried by the frame 11.

Secured to and projecting downwardly from one end of the elongatedmovable member 36 is a bracket 41 which is pivotally connected by apivot pin 42 to a clevis member 43 carried by a piston rod 44 of a fluidpressure operated cylinder 46, as shown in FIG. 5. The opposite end ofthe cylinder 46 is pivotally connected by a pivot pin 47 to a stationarypart of the frame 11, as shown.

Downwardly opening recesses 48 are provided in an elongated member 49carried by the elongated movable member 36, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5.The recesses 48 are spaced from each other a distance equal the distancebetween the upwardly opening recesses 37 in position to engage a movableelement 51 of a micro switch 52 which controls movement of the elongatedmember 36 by the fluid pressure operated cylinder 46. That is, the microswitch 52 is operatively connected to the fluid pressure operatedcylinder 46 whereby it interrupts movement of the piston rod 44 atpredetermined locations to position the drill rod sections 22sequentially in alignment with the path of movement of the support arms28.

While we have shown only two of the support arms 28 as being operativelyconnected to the fluid pressure operated cylinders 32, the other supportarms 28 are secured rigidly to the elongated tubular member 27 wherebythey are rotated with the tubular member 27 in response to actuation ofthe fluid pressure operated cylinders 32. As shown in FIG. 1, the rackassemblies 34 are spaced longitudinally from the adjacent support arms28 whereby the support arms 28 are adapted for movement selectively tothe lower position at an elevation below the drill rod sections carriedby the rack assemblies and to the upper position in alignment with thedrive shaft 19. Since the rack assemblies move concomitantly in atransverse direction, the drill rod sections carried by the rackassembly remain in parallel relation to each other at all times.

As shown in FIG. 1, suitable micro switches 53 are carried by the frame11 in position to be engaged by actuator elements 54 carried by theadjacent tubular member 27 to indicate relative angular positions of thesupport arms 28. Accordingly, the lower and uppermost positions of thesupport arms 28 are indicated by the micro switch assemblies 53. In likemanner, micro switch assemblies 56 are carried by the supporting frame11 in position to be engaged by actuator elements 57 carried by theelongated tubular member 27 to supply current for operation of the fluidpressure operated cylinders. Accordingly, the support arms 28 are alwaysin proper position before actuation of the fluid pressure operatedcylinders.

From the foregoing description, the operation of our improved apparatuswill be readily understood. The drill rod sections 22 are positioned inthe upwardly opening recesses 37 in the rack assembly 34 with thesupport arms 28 in the dotted line position shown in FIG. 2. When it isdesired to transfer the first drill rod section 22 to a position inalignment with the drive shaft 19 the fluid pressure operated cylinders32 are actuated to move the support arms 28 from the dotted lineposition to the solid line position shown in FIG. 2. With the drill rodsection 22 in alignment with the drive shaft 19, the drive shaft is thenconnected to the adjacent end of the drill rod section 22 in the usualmanner. The drilling apparatus is then operated whereby the transmission18 drives the drive shaft 19 and drill rod section 22 as the carriage 13is moved forward to bore a hole into the side of a mass of earth. Afterthe first drill rod section 22 is driven into the mass of earth, thedrive shaft 19 is disengaged from the first drill rod section and thecarriage 13 is moved rearwardly to the position shown in FIG. 1. Thesupport arms 28 are moved downwardly from the solid line position shownin FIG. 2 to the dotted line position and the rack assembly 34 is movedtransversely toward the left, as viewed in FIG. 2 until the seconddepending recess 48 engages the movable element 51 of the micro switch52 whereupon the second drill rod section 22 is in correct position tobe engaged by the upwardly opening recess 29 in the support arm 28 uponupward movement of the support arms. Accordingly, the second drill rodsection 22 is moved from the rack assembly to the upper position inalignment with the drive shaft 19. This procedure is repeated until allof the drill rod sections 22 are carried by the rack assembly 34 areemployed or until the hole is of the desired depth in the mass of earth.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that we have devised an improveddrilling apparatus for drilling holes into the side of a mass of earth.By providing a transverse rack which supplies the drill rod sectionssequentially each time the support arms 28 are moved to their lowermostposition, we not only facilitate the installation of the drill rodsections but also save a considerable amount of time and effort insupplying drill rod sections. Also, by providing means for accuratelypositioning the rack assembly in proper position for the support arms topick up the drill rod sections sequentially, there is no delay insupplying the drill rod sections to the support arms whereby theapparatus operates in a substantially continuous manner. Furthermore, byproviding power actuated means for moving the rack assemblies and thesupport arms our improved apparatus requires a minimum of labor to movethe drill rod sections into alignment with the drive shaft.

While we have shown our invention in but one form it will be obvious tothose skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptibleof various other changes and modifications without departing from thespirit thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. Apparatus for drilling holes into the side of amass of earth comprising:a. a generally horizontal translatable frame,b. at least one carriage mounted for horizontal movement longitudinallyof said frame, c. a power operated drive shaft carried by said carriage,d. a plurality of drill rod sections, e. means detachably connectingsequentially one end of each drill rod section to said drive shaft sothat said drill rod sections are fed forward sequentially, f. spacedapart rack assemblies having upwardly opening spaced apart recessestherein for supporting said drill rod sections at an elevation belowsaid drive shaft and in parallel relation thereto and adapted formovement transversely of said frame, g. transversely extending, spacedapart support arms mounted on said frame for pivotal movement ingenerally vertical planes about a common axis and having upwardlyopening recesses therein for receiving a drill rod section and movableselectively to a lower position at an elevation below a drill rodsection carried by said rack assemblies and an upper position inalignment with said drive shaft, h. means to move said rack assembliesconcomitantly to position said drill rod sections sequentially inalignment with the path of movement of said support arms, and i. meansto move said support arms from said lower position to said upperposition after each drill rod section is moved into alignment with thepath of movement of said support arms whereby said drill rod sectionsare removed sequentially from said rack assemblies and positioned inalignment with said drive shaft.
 2. Apparatus for drilling holes intothe side of a mass of earth as defined in claim 1 in which each of saidrack assemblies comprises:a. an elongated movable member having saidupwardly opening recesses therein, b. guide members supporting saidmovable member for .[.longitudinal.]. movement .Iadd.transversely ofsaid frame .Iaddend.to selected positions, and c. power actuated meansfor moving said movable member to said selected positions.
 3. Apparatusfor drilling holes into the side of a mass of earth as defined in claim1 in which said spaced apart support arms are carried by an elongatedshaft-like member which in turn is operatively connected to at least onefluid pressure operated cylinder for moving said support armsselectively to said upper and lower positions.
 4. Apparatus for drillingholes into the side of a mass of earth as defined in claim 2 in which atleast one indicator member is operatively connected to said shaft-likemember to indicate angular positions of said arms.
 5. Apparatus fordrilling holes into the side of a mass of earth as defined in claim 2 inwhich switch elements are operatively connected to said shaft-likemember to supply current for operation of said fluid pressure operatedcylinder.
 6. Apparatus for drilling holes into the side of a mass ofearth as defined in claim 1 in which indicator members are operativelyconnected to said rack assemblies to indicate when said rack assembliesare in position to support a drill rod section in alignment withmovement with said support arms.
 7. Apparatus for drilling holes intothe side of a mass of earth as defined in claim 5 in which an actuatingswitch element is operatively connected to at least one of said rackassemblies and is operable each time said rack assemblies are movedforward in position to present another drill rod section in alignmentwith movement of said support arms. .Iadd.
 8. A drilling apparatuscomprising: a generally horizontally extending drill guide frame; rotarydrive means supported for reciprocating movement on said guide framealong the axis of rotation of said drive means; rack means carried bysaid guide frame for supporting a plurality of elongated drill steelswith the longitudinal axes thereof being generally parallel to said axisof rotation and at least one such drill steel being below said axis ofrotation; transfer means carried by said guide frame for removing saidone such drill steel from said rack means and for subsequentlytransporting said one such drill steel upwardly into a position inalignment with said axis of rotation. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 9. A drillingapparatus as specified in claim 8 wherein said rack means comprises asubstantially horizontal member having upwardly opening spaced apartrecesses therein for respectively supporting such drill steels againsthorizontal movement with respect to said rack means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 10.A drilling apparatus as specified in claim 8 wherein said rack meanssupports such drill steels in a manner that all the longitudinal axes ofsuch drill steels are located below said axis of rotation. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 11. A drilling apparatus as specified in claim 8 wherein saidtransfer means includes a drill steel support portion movable along apath from below said one such drill steel into contact with said onesuch drill steel and upwardly to a point wherein said one such drillsteel is in alignment with said axis of rotation and wherein saidsupport portion is movable along said path in a substantially continuousmotion in one direction along said path. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 12. A drillingapparatus as specified in claim 11 wherein said rack means is movabletransversely with respect to said axis of rotation to move individualones of such drill steels into said path prior to the respectivetransferring thereof by said transfer means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
 13. Adrilling apparatus as specified in claim 11 wherein said transfer meanscomprises at least one transfer arm pivoted at one end portion thereofto said guide frame and including said drill steel support portion atthe opposite end thereof, and wherein said path is an arcuate path..Iaddend..Iadd.
 14. A drilling apparatus as specified in claim 13wherein said transfer means comprises a plurality of transfer armspivoted to said guide frame, each transfer arm having the same pivotalaxis which extends in a direction generally parallel to said axis ofrotation. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 15. A drilling apparatus as specified in claim14 wherein said drill steel support portion comprises a plurality ofsubstantially upwardly opening recesses. .Iaddend.